Subject Leader: Mrs Austin

Governor Link: Dr. Digman

Intent
Our aim is to give children a thorough and ambitious education in computing, equipping them to use technology, computational thinking and creativity to understand and change the world. It is now more important than ever that children are able to use technology positively, responsibly and safely, and that they see good models of this.

By the time they leave St Joseph's, children will have gained key knowledge and skills in the three main strands of the National Curriculum for Computing (2014):

Computer science (programming and understanding how digital systems work),

Information technology (using computer systems to create, store, retrieve and send information)

Digital literacy (evaluating digital content and using technology safely and respectfully).

Furthermore, from Nursery to Year 6, experiences in computing and the wider curriculum are planned to develop children’s computational thinking skills.

Our knowledge-engaged curriculum enables children to understand how computers and computer systems (such as the internet) work, and how they are designed and programmed. It ensures they know what to do if they have concerns about anything they encounter online, and how to be safe, responsible and respectful when using the internet. Equally, our offer provides many opportunities for learners to apply their evolving knowledge imaginatively, becoming fluent and creative in their mastery of computing. The depth and breadth of our coverage aims to provide all our children with a solid grounding for future learning and the ability to become active digital citizens in the modern world.

Implementation

Our computing progression framework ensures a balanced coverage of the three computing strands (computer science, information technology and digital literacy). The children work on all three strands each year using schemes such as, NCCE, Barefoot and Cornerstones. As they progress through the school, children build on their prior learning within each strand (Substantive Knowledge), covering new or deeper knowledge and developing their technical skills. Within all sequences of lessons, teachers plan a phase of progressive questioning which extends to and promotes the higher order thinking of all learners.  Questions initially focus on the recall or retrieval of knowledge, and help to scaffold computational thinking skills, such as pattern recognition (Disciplinary Knowledge). Questions then extend to promote application of the knowledge in a new situation and are designed to promote independence in analytical thinking.

The relevant, context-embedded computing experiences through which our knowledge-engaged curriculum is taught will benefit learners in secondary school, further education and future workplaces. From research methods, use of presentation and creative tools and computational and critical thinking, computing at St Joseph’s gives children the building blocks that enable them to pursue a wide range of interests and vocations in the next stage of their lives.

Impact
Our approach to the curriculum provides fun, engaging and meaningful learning for all pupils, in which the children understand not only the content that is taught but the opportunities offered to them by their computing education, enabling them to become creators and change-makers in our digital world. The impact of our curriculum and the quality of children’s learning is evident in their work, which is shared, published and celebrated on our Class pages(an online platform) and in their topic floorbooks – using photographs and QR codes to showcase digital work. Monitoring of these outcomes, alongside key knowledge quiz results,  and interviews with teachers and learners, allows the subject lead to ensure the knowledge-engaged curriculum taught is being learned and retained by all pupils. All this information also feeds into teachers’ future planning and enables assessment of pupil’s knowledge and skills. Through cross-curricular uses of computing in other subjects, teachers are able to revisit misconceptions and knowledge gaps in computing in tandem with other curriculum areas. This supports varied paces of learning and ensures all pupils make good progress.

EYFS
In EYFS, computing focuses on the learning and development of children, utilising opportunities for our children to use technology to solve problems and produce creative outcomes. In particular, we ensure we provide opportunities for pupils to develop their ability to use computational thinking effectively, such as through undertaking projects involving the concepts and approaches using devices such as Beebots and through play.

Inclusion

St Joseph's will ensure that all children are provided with the samelearning opportunities regardless of social class, gender, culture, race, disability or learning difficulties. As a result we hope to enable all children to develop positive attitudes towards others. All pupils have equal access to computing and all staff members follow the equal opportunities policy. Resources for SEN children and children who are working at greater depth are made available to support and challenge appropriately

Skills progression

Our children's learning is assessed from our teacher's assessment and knowing and understanding the children that we teach.

Useful Links

Tinkercad - 3D design. Login with your nickname which is your name.

Lots of Scratch projects - they get harder as you go through the modules.

Turtle Academy

Adobe remove background from an image - free sign up